Easy open / close bag type containment unit

ABSTRACT

A containment unit, such as a fabric bag, that is very easily and quickly opened and closed, and can be opened and closed repeatedly. One potential use of such a containment unit would be the storage of emergency equipment that must be accessed very quickly and may need to be quickly and securely stored back in the containment unit for protection until the next emergency requirement.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/958,240, filed Jul. 22, 2013, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

This invention relates in general to a containment unit (such as a fabric bag) that is very quick and easy to open and easy to close. A typical requirement for such a containment unit would be storing emergency equipment that must be accessed very quickly and may need to be rapidly placed back in the containment unit for protection until future use.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

A bag type containment unit made of durable, flexible material utilizing “hook and loop” surfaces to secure the opening in the unit in a configuration that allows the bag to be easily and quickly opened or closed. Due to the configuration and geometry of the containment unit, opening the containment unit is accomplished by firmly and rapidly pulling two central pulls apart disengaging the hook and loop surfaces along the length of the opening. Likewise, closing the containment unit is accomplished by firmly and rapidly pulling each end of the opposing sides, causing the hook and loop surfaces to fully engage along the length of the opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1—An illustration of the general features of the Invention.

FIG. 2—An illustration of the Invention in closed position.

FIG. 3—An illustration of the action required to open the Invention.

FIG. 4—An illustration of the action required to close the Invention.

FIG. 5—An illustration of an alternate shape for the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The preferred embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 1, is a bag type containment unit (1) that is made of a durable, flexible material, such as fabric. The unit utilizes “hook and loop” surfaces to secure the opening along one edge or side (2) and is closed elsewhere (3) creating a complete enclosure unit. The configuration of the opening in the containment unit creates two opposing sides. One side is surfaced with a hook surface (4) and the other side is surfaced with a loop surface (5). The two opposing sides with the respective “hook and loop” surfaces are secured together and interlocked at each end (6) and each opposing side has a central pull (7) firmly affixed to it. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the pulls (7) are attached without interfering with the hook and loop function in that central area, and the respective “hook and loop” surfaces completely close the opening along the open-able edge (2) when fully interlocked.

The configuration embodied in the invention allows the containment unit (1) to be rapidly and fully opened along the open-able edge (2) by pulling the two pulls (7) apart, as illustrated in FIG. 3, disengaging the hook surface (4) and the loop surface (5) along the length of the opening.

The configuration embodied in the invention allows the containment unit (1) to be rapidly and fully closed along the open-able edge (2) of the containment unit by firmly grasping each end (6) of the open-able edge (2) and rapidly pulling the ends (6) away from each other, as illustrated in FIG. 4, causing the hook surface (4) and loop surface (5) to fully engage and interlock along the length of the opening. Since this closure action engages the entire length of the hook surface (4) and loop surface (5), the one-motion closure action provides complete, full length closing and thus prevents the contents of the containment unit (1) from unintentionally or accidentally escaping.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the principle and mode of operation of this invention have been explained and illustrated in the preferred embodiment. However, it must be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically explained and illustrated without departing form its spirit or scope. For example, the containment unit (1) could be of a different shape, as illustrated in FIG. 5, where the containment transitions from cylindrical shape at one end to flat at the open-able edge (2). 

What is claimed is:
 1. A bag type containment unit configuration with features and geometry that facilitates repeatable, easy, and rapid opening and closing, while providing complete secure storage when closed. 